Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1887-04-14
BIsHop LEE DEAD.

than at the same time the day previous.
Soon after the noon hour, however, he was
seized with sinking spell, and his atten-
dants clearly foresaw the near approach
Of dissolution. Messages were sent
DR.. Lee and Alfred Lee, ESD, who
were In Philadelphia, apprising them
Of their fathers condition, but the
end had come before they could re-
turn. Mrs. Mcllvaine, the bishops only
daughter, who has been mis- constant at
tendant, and her sister-in-law, Mrs. ul'ois,
were the only ones with him when he
breathed his last. They had noted his
rapid sinking away, and were close about
his bedside minlstt ring to his comfort. A
short time before the close Mrs. MeIivaine
asked the dying prelate II she should end
u Psalm and upon his giving a sign Of
assent she reeited the XIII, which is con.
sldered the most beautiful Of the Psalms Of
David, opening: "The Lord Is my shep-
herd shall not want" After the Psalm
u prayer was read by one OF the ladies. 1t
seemed to give him much delight, and as It
was repeated he lay back on his couch with
the most serene restfulness, his countenance
Frightening, betraying the placid joyous
ness OF Christian rest. Gradually he sank
away and death came peacefully. quietly
The illness Of the dead bishop covers a
period of nearly four months. He first
called his family physician, DR.. Bullock,
about the middle OF January and he re-
quired almost daily medical attendance for
nearly month, when he went to Old Point
Comfort to try and recover his health.
After two-weeks' stay at that place he re-
turned home, on March 10th, and the last
time he WINS In church he attended ser
vices at the post chapel In the fort to
hear sermon by Bishop Parrot OF
Maryland, the Sunday previous. Shortly
after his return he took cold and suffered
relapse, and his ailment developed all the
symptoms OF typhoid fever. For more than
month past his condition had been most
alarming and there was scarcely hope
that he could recover. A week ago, how
ever his condition seemed improved, but
this could only be observed for a day or
two and 1t was clearly foreseen that the
end was near.
During his Illness the bishop was con-
scious OF everything transpiring about him
most of the time, and at periods his mind
seemed unusually vigorous and perfectly
clear. He dictated replies to some OF
the letters Of inquiry as to his health from
his many dear friends, and frequently dis
cussod the affairs Of his diocese with those
nearest him. The welfare of his church
and his people were matters OF contempla-
| ton, on his death bed, almost to the last
moment of his life. To near friends who
called and inquired after his health, the
| bishop at times sent affectionate messages.
many ways, and they hoped against hope
| that the beloved bishop would be spared to
them.
THE FUNERAL ON FRIDAY.
The funeral will take place on Friday af-
| ternoon at O'Clock at which hour services
/ will be held at vt. Andrews Church. The
i body will be exposed to view at the Episco.
/ pal residence between the hours of IL a. m.
| and p. m. on Friday. Interment will be
/ 40 tn ah.yu ri xuhR
| the remains OF the bishops wife and two or
| three children repose. The vestrymen OF
| st, Andrews Church will act as carriers and
| the pail bearers will be selected from the
/ bishops.
ST. Andrews Church will be heavily
4 trapped In mourning, and meeting OF the
ytsstry will be held this evening to consider
1 matters In connection with the death OF the
1 bishop and the funeral.
The Right Reverend Alfred Lee cane Of
| taunch English stock. His father was
| nidshipman in the British Navy, In the
| anne mess were the Duke OF Clarence, and
| Lords Nelson. NJ. Vincent and Co.linRwoed
l Leaving the service earlg his came to America
/ where he exhibited the game energy aud reso
| tuition which. to the end Of his life. he he
lieved would have wrought gu career equal
| to those Of hi illustrious comrades had he
| remained in tue Service.
1
\ toric houses OF the country II stands on the
| corner of Sparks aud Bratile streets, in Cam
bridge. Mast., and VAS one OF seven old Tory
| mansions famous once for courtly hospitality
| Ia this one, the celebrated Baroness ,on
| Riedesel shared her husbands captivity ii
/ l778. There venturiDg upon a celebration OF
his birthday, copjJlntly with that OF kln6
George, which fell the next day, sc that fes
tivities could ea.ily be stretched over she
came near being mobbed This house, after
wsrda immort allied by Longfellow lii IN e
Old House by the LiudeDs" vss given to Mr.
! iIlianIiss La, tse gtfGelle e. the Rsh0p y.
| compensation shlps which had boon tskeh
for military ures. Here B.sit y LIE was bpr'
On the 9th Of September, 10 Y FwentS
years later he was graduated from Harvard
University
Like many cegent and successful preaeher'
he served first all apprenticeship at the law,
practising that profession for two years in
New London, Conn.
MIsIsTIRIAL CAREER.
Resolving upon change OF profession he
| entered the General TIT illogical Seminary IL
the City of New York, from which ha was
graduated in 1887, just before completing his
thirtieth year.
Norwich, Conn, by Bishop Brownell. on May
9lst, 1887. On June l9ih, Of the following
year, he was ordained Priest in OhriGt Church,
| Hartford, Conn.,, by the same prelate The
initiation OF Bishop Lees long ministry wat
ct rural church In Connecticut, that OF st
James Pcquetonpsck. This, however, wac
casusl and temporary. His first services az
Rector were given to Calvary Church, Rock
dale, Pa where he was instituted in Septem.
he had now left New England as a resi-
ienoe, forever. Henceiorth, interests, 1850
Citations and work lay alike with the residue
Of his life in the Middle states.
1t is as Bishop that the world at lar E.
knows and that the Church OF Christ chiefly
honors the Right Reverend Alfred Lee, how
ever dear to WilmingtonioDs will Away
, be the venerable and beloved rector OF st
Andrews.
ELtoTIoN TO THE EpTsCoPATE.
| Prior to 1871, the Diocese of Delaware hat
been under the Ecclesiastical charge OF thu
Bishop Of Pennsylvania but at the convon
ton In that year at Georgetown. II was re
solved to complete the separate organization
Of the Diocese by eleeting . plsnop; IN
: Rev. Alfred Lee, then, as before stated
/ | Rockdale, having been nominated, received
the unanimous vote, both of the clerical ant
Law deputies, the two orders voting separately
OF those who voted for the election OF DIR
Lee but one ID now living, Benjamin Burton
/, Eaq Of Georgetown. Judge Wootten wa
:. also one of those present aud voting. Tn
! of the session OF the General Convention re
! quired confirmation by that Body, and &C
4 cordingly, on the 9Th OF October, the Hons
/ Of Deputies signed the testimonials OF th
a Bishop elect and on the same day the Hous
: OF Bishops consented to his conservation.
' He was therefore eonBecrated first Bieho
: of Delaware in st, Paul's Church. New YoTh
on the 18th day OF October, l84l, conse
uuently at the age of thirty fur, below whic
man rarely reaches the episcopate HI
oonsecrators were Bishops Griswod, Moore
Chase, Brownell. H. U. onderdonk, Mead
Q aud McIlysine or these, Bishop Mcllvaint
g the last turvivor, the nearest allied to Blsho
9 Lee, both by family connection and klnshi
y in spirit, died at Florence in 1878 Bisho
/ Moore Of Virginia died few weeks after ID
o conservation
9 An interesting historical fact in connectio
s With the conservation Of the Bishop was u
Q participation in the service Of three OF Bisho
1t Lees predecessors in the office of Presidin
1t Bishop: Bishops Griswold, Chase aud Brown
ell, aud the presence Of another, Bishop Hoi
kins, so that this solemn occasion brougl
d together Eve OF the eight men who hay
, lived TO become the aelior Bishop.